Karen Dunn

Durrington Infant and Junior School has raised £1,037 for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance (KSSA).

The money was raised after the school’s Christmas show, with parents and carers nominating the KSSA as their chosen charity.
Derek Richardson, of the KSSA visited the school to collect the cheque and talk to the children.

They were enthralled to hear about the speed of the helicopters, which fly at 150mph and can get from Worthing to London in 15 minutes.

The youngsters learned that the air ambulance made between four and 12 trips each day and there was always a doctor and paramedic on board with at least one pilot.

Derek also very proudly told the school that the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance is the only one in the country that flies at night, offering a 24 hour service.
He told the children: “This is an incredible amount to receive and will allow us to buy enough blood to save at least four people’s lives.”
Co-headteachers Sara Ensor and Zoe Wilby said they were “very pleased” with the amount raised, adding: “It is reassuring to know that we live in an area where, if any one of us needed emergency care at a specialist hospital at any time of the day or night, we could be there in approximately 15 minutes thanks to KSSA.
“The school was surprised to learn that this vital service relies entirely on donations to keep going.”